Follow Us
Abundant knowledge! Less bullets!
March 4, 2013
In commemoration of our Black Nation (Independence) Day, WE invite families and our entire community to a “Sacred Gathering and Celebration of Marcus Books” and our new mural – to promote righteous self-determination, self-beauty and self-defense – Saturday, March 30, noon-4 p.m., at Marcus Books, 3900 MLK Jr. Way, Oakland.
Food justice: an interview wit’ food activist and musician AshEl
March 3, 2013
AshEl is a food-based activist who has been heightening consciousness for years in the Bay about what we put in our bodies. We have to use everything that we have to inform and educate our people about how our body works – young people especially. I salute AshEl on his valiant quest to keep us in the know about how these corporations are trying to kill us from the inside out.
Do you know how Ida B. Wells has affected our lives?
March 2, 2013
Ida B. Wells was a fiery crusader for African American justice at a time when angry white men indulged in lynching as acceptable behavior. Her determination, courage, ambition and refusal to back down helped change the course of history. Her talents as an investigative reporter, successful writer and newspaper owner were unbeatable weapons.
The justice in Christopher Dorner’s rebellion
March 2, 2013
Rebellions aren’t pretty, clean or politically correct. Christopher Dorner rebelled. He waged psychological warfare against law enforcement, and it worked. They were afraid. It showed that the police do not have the type of training to take on just one person who is determined and who is skilled. Imagine if they were facing an entire movement.
African American children with autism fall between the cracks
March 1, 2013
For many in the African American community, especially those who are between poverty and middle class, autism is unfamiliar. We aren’t quite sure what kind of delay that means in our children. Does it mean they are dumb? Does it mean they won’t talk ever in life? Will they be sitting in the corner for decades, fascinated by the shiny object on the ceiling? Will they have friends of their own? Will they be independent?
‘Ma’ Ruth Ballard
February 28, 2013
Unless you lived in North Philly, in the projects east of Richard Allen and north of Spring Garden, perhaps the name of Ruth ‘Ma’ Ballard would be unfamiliar to you. But if you lived there, if you had the pleasure of knowing her, of seeing her smile, of hearing her sweet Southern voice, you’d know that you’ve met someone special.
A talk wit’ visual artist Karen Seneferu of ‘The Black Women is God’ visual arts show
February 26, 2013
Early on in life, Karen Seneferu was fed Black revolutionary politics and art by the Black Panther Party at their free breakfast program. Now she is feeding the community revolutionary art that examines our condition and where we need to go. Karen Seneferu is definitely a name to look out for in the future. Check her out in her own words.
Claudia Jones: African-Caribbean Communist defied racism, sexism and class oppression
February 23, 2013
“Claudia Jones: Beyond Containment” (2011) is a collection of writings by Jones herself. The book makes a tremendous contribution to the literature on left, feminist and Pan-African struggles during the 20th century. A new generation of activists and organizers will benefit immensely from Jones’ writings on the most pressing and burning issues of the period.
Choice of words: an interview with MC and pianist Kev Choice
February 20, 2013
When you talk about Oakland’s homegrown musical talent, you have to talk about people like the Tonies, Ledisi, Sheila E, the Escovedos, Silk E, the Coup and many more. Kev Choice is a chip off of that old block. He is a multi-instrumentalist as well as an MC. Kev Choice will be performing at Oakland Yoshi’s on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 8 p.m. Check out Kev Choice in his own words.
AeroSoul3 exhibition: an interview wit’ curator Refa-1
February 20, 2013
Refa-1 is a revolutionary graffiti artist who made history in the Bay Area about 18 years ago by creating a commissioned Malcolm X mural at San Francisco State with anti-zionist messages. Refa-1 has been making a name for himself curating the Aerosoul shows over the years. Don’t miss the closing reception to AeroSoul3, Friday, Feb. 22, at the African-American Art and Culture Complex.
Urban orchards pop up in San Francisco
February 15, 2013
The SF Dept. of the Environment, Friends of the Urban Forest and hundreds of volunteers have planted 200 fruit trees at 23 locations across San Francisco as part of the City’s Urban Orchards program. Fruit trees not only absorb and sequester greenhouse gasses but also improve the city’s built environment and bring together neighborhoods to help us be a more resilient and food-secure city.
Making connections: South Africa’s Your True Standpoint links with Krip Hop Nation
February 14, 2013
It is a great pleasure for us at Your True Standpoint to link with Krip Hop Nation, an organization of great stature and deep ethical values. We highly appreciate Krip Hop Nation as the voice of the voiceless. The parallels between the YTS family and Krip Hop Nation can be drawn from shared values evident from YTS’ call for power in unity.
Local boy with autism makes great gains
February 11, 2013
Jody Moore of Alameda, Calif., and her son, Xavier, have struggled for years with the academic delays and social aggression stemming from his autism diagnosis. Everything turned around, however, several months ago, when the Moores’ lives changed dramatically for the better – thanks to assistance provided by California-based international autism support non-profit Generation Rescue.
The Oakland International Film Fest is back: an interview wit’ OIFF Director David Roach
February 8, 2013
One of the best events that is held annually in Oakland is the Oakland International Film Festival (OIFF). Since 2002, thousands continue to attend the OIFF each year. Oakland filmmakers and filmmakers from around the world continue to benefit from contacts made during the OIFF. Who will be there this year? Time will tell. Until then, read the words of the founding director of the OIFF David Roach …
Metro High School in Hunters Point focuses one-on-one on student achievement
February 7, 2013
At Metropolitan Arts & Technology High School, a relatively new addition to the Bayview, senior students are busy preparing for their journey to college. Metro follows a unique educational model that focuses on four key “Rs”: Rigorous expectations of students, personalized Relationships between teachers and students, Relevant and applicable curriculum, and high student achievement Results.
Black history maker Esther Cooper Jackson 1917-
February 7, 2013
Esther Cooper Jackson, born in Arlington, Virginia, graduated from Ohio’s Oberlin College, received her MA degree in sociology from Fisk University, then remarkably turned down a scholarship offer to Chicago University to earn a PhD to relocate to Birmingham, Ala., where she became the organizational secretary for the Southern Negro Youth Congress.
10 things you should know about slavery and won’t learn at ‘Django’
February 4, 2013
Much hullabaloo has been made recently about slavery as entertainment in movies like “Django Unchained.” But lost in the discussion is slavery as history. Though sadistic and macabre, the plain truth is that slavery was an unprecedented economic juggernaut whose impact is still lived by each of us daily. Here’s my top-10 list of things everyone should know about the economic roots of slavery.
Professor’s movement tops $10 million for urban communities
February 3, 2013
In 2005, Devin Robinson was threatened with a golf club by a store owner while shopping in the owner’s beauty supply store. Out of anger, two months later Robinson had his own store. Eighteen months later he had two additional locations. In 2007, he launched Taking it Back University to train others how to be successful in beauty supply ownership too.
White power to the rescue
February 2, 2013
The steady rise of ethnic nationalism over the past decade, the replacing of history with mendacious and sanitized versions of lost glory, is part of the moral decay that infects a dying culture. It is a frightening attempt, by those who are desperate and trapped, to escape through invented history their despair, impoverishment and hopelessness.
Wanda’s Picks for February 2013
February 2, 2013
The 23rd African American Celebration through Poetry is Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, 1-4 p.m. at the West Oakland Branch Library, 1801 Adeline St., in Oakland, (510) 238-7352. All are welcome and if anyone didn’t hear of the event in time to be a part of the featured program, we do have an open mic at the end of the program.